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National market update

Lowest Inventory in Six Years

Washington, DC - November 21, 2011 - The total homes listed for sale continue to move downward. The latest decline in October to 3.33 million was partly seasonal, as autumn and winter months nearly always have fewer listings in comparison with spring and summer months. More...Read more

Washington, DC, November 21, 2011 - Existing-home sales improved in October while the number of homes on the market continued to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors®. More...
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National housing indicators

Existing home sales ()

4.97 million units*

Existing home median price ()

$162,500

Housing Starts ()

628,000*

New home sales ()

National economic indicators

Home ownership

3rd Qtr

66.3%

2nd Qtr

65.9%

The homeownership rate in the third quarter 2011 (66.3 percent) was lower than the third quarter 2010 rate (66.9 percent). The homeownership rates in the Midwest and South were lower than their corresponding third quarter 2010 rates.

New home sales

Sept 11

+5.7%

Aug 11

-0.3%

Sales of new one-family houses in September 2011 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 313,000. This is 5.7 percent above the revised August 2011 estimate of 296,000.

Source: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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Regional market updates

View market statistics for your region.

Click on the links below to view data from two different industry sources. Choose information on local prices & state sales from any of 178 metropolitan housing markets prepared by the National Association of REALTORS® or information on sales & price activity from local area markets in 25 states prepared by Clarus MarketMetrics.

Terry Kraemer

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Consumer tips & hot properties

Top Reasons to Sell Your Home in Winter

We're getting close to the end of the year, which begs the question of whether it's worthwhile trying to sell your home now. Is it a waste of time? Will it sit on the market and become shopworn? Should I take my house off the market for the holidays? Will the home-sale market be better for sellers in 2012? More...Read more

Make Your Home Holiday Hosting Disasters Free

Take a look at the most common things that can go wrong when you have guests and learn how to prevent them. More...
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Walls of Glass Not Just for Modern Style Home

With the help of new technologies, homeowners are adding walls and walls of glass to traditional styles, once restricted to modern. More...
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9 Ways to Keep Lid on Energy Bills

Keeping the lid on your energy bills makes sense - dollars & cents. 9 easy ways to make a small investment of time and supplies to close up those heat-wasting air leaks around your home.Read more

3 Options for Buying Home After Short Sale

Consumer writes, "I experienced a hardship two years ago and had to sell my house via short sale. I am now ready to purchase a home". What are my options? More...
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Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, a real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, real estate radio, realtor.com® local community reports and local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by local MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®.

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